No, he doesn’t particularly like the Loboes and he certainly wants his Snyder Tigers to beat them at 7:30 tonight when the teams open the season at Grande Communications Stadium in Midland.
But Rogers has had multiple coaching milestones come against Monahans, like his first game as a head coach — a 48-0 win over the Loboes in 2001.
Rogers’ first playoff game as a head coach was a 7-6 loss to Monahans in 2002.
And his first playoff victory was a 26-0 win over — yes, Monahans — in 2003.
“We know what Monahans brings to the table,” Rogers said, “and what kind of football team they have and what kind of coaches they have.
“The first games are kind of a measuring stick and when you play a good team like Monahans, a good force, it helps us see if we need to make any moves or anything.”
On paper, the Tigers don’t have many moves to make.
Snyder returns nine offensive starters and six defensive starters from a team that reached the Class 3A Division II regional round last season before losing 26-20 to Vernon.
“Without out a doubt they are favored on paper,” Monahans head coach Mickey Owens said. “At this time of year, experience is invaluable. It is really good.
“If you have experienced kids you have the edge, because we are awfully young.”
Both teams survived the preseason without major injuries, but Snyder also returns standout players like quarterback Lance Day, fullback Blane Knipe, defensive back-wide receiver Ryan Claxton and offensive lineman Joe Garza.
“We respect those guys because we know it is going to be a great football game when they come play us,” Owens said.
The Loboes have four returners on the offensive line — Ruben Rodriguez, Chase Williams, Kelvin Marlow and Evan Neal — but are young at running back, relying on juniors Tyson Childress and Stephen Neal.
“I don’t really know what to expect,” Owens said. “With scrimmages you just don’t know. I expect these kids to play great. We will have some miscues, but it will be how we handle adversity.”
The teams have played each other five times in the last four years, with the Loboes winning three times.
Monahans knocked off Snyder 12-7 in a lightning-delayed, rain-soaked affair last year in Midland.
The Tigers, however, had the last laugh, eliminating the Loboes from the playoffs in the area round 21-7.
“I don’t know how good we look,” Rogers said, “but the kids are practicing hard and having a good time."